Robert Schumann (Zwickau, June 8, 1810 – Endenich (near Bonn), July 29, 1856) was a German composer, pianist, conductor, and music critic during the Romantic period, and undoubtedly belongs among the most important composers of the musical Romantic era. He not only left behind a large number of important piano works and songs, but also often explored new possibilities with his late choral and orchestral works.